Harrison Blackman
@hblackman.bsky.social
A shamus of the tiger sort. Writer of cities, Mediterranean, suspense. Fulbright scholar, WGA screenwriter, narrative journalist. Substack: THE USONIAN.
Pinned
As a neuroscientist, Joel Finkelstein studied mind control in mice. But when he realized social media was influencing human behavior, he set out to build an early warning system for hate. My latest for Princeton Alumni Weekly—and my most ambitious feature to date. paw.princeton.edu/article/joel...
Perhaps the original "heated rivalry" was the early competition between the Winter Olympics and the Nordic Games for the premier spot atop winter sports.
www.theusonian.com/p/the-first-...
www.theusonian.com/p/the-first-...
The ‘First’ Winter Olympics
How Chamonix 1924 iced out a rival Nordic competition
www.theusonian.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Perhaps the original "heated rivalry" was the early competition between the Winter Olympics and the Nordic Games for the premier spot atop winter sports.
www.theusonian.com/p/the-first-...
www.theusonian.com/p/the-first-...
As part of my project to see how automation and robotics are being implemented in Los Angeles, I visited the Tesla Diner on a mission to see its popcorn-serving robots. I was disappointed. #ClankerCity #TheUsonian harrisonblackman.substack.com/p/dead-clank...
Dead clankers tell no tales
A look inside the Tesla Diner, Hollywood's latest flop
harrisonblackman.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:17 PM
As part of my project to see how automation and robotics are being implemented in Los Angeles, I visited the Tesla Diner on a mission to see its popcorn-serving robots. I was disappointed. #ClankerCity #TheUsonian harrisonblackman.substack.com/p/dead-clank...
In my pandemic-restricted last winter of my MFA program in Reno, Nevada, the only — and best thing — I could do was learn how to cross-country ski. paw.princeton.edu/article/how-...
How To Find a Cross-Country Ski Wonderland in Tahoe
The alpine lake in California and Nevada may be known for its downhill ski resorts, but its Nordic ski offerings truly sparkle, writes Harrison Blackman ’17
paw.princeton.edu
February 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
In my pandemic-restricted last winter of my MFA program in Reno, Nevada, the only — and best thing — I could do was learn how to cross-country ski. paw.princeton.edu/article/how-...
Nicholas Biddle was the second American to visit Greece. He was also, through his directorship of the 2nd National Bank, a facilitator of the Southern slave-based economy. Read more in my profile of one of history’s forgotten, troubling figures. paw.princeton.edu/article/nich...
Nicholas Biddle 1801 Opposed Abolition and Facilitated the Slave Trade
Nicholas Biddle 1801 (1786-1844)
paw.princeton.edu
January 31, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Nicholas Biddle was the second American to visit Greece. He was also, through his directorship of the 2nd National Bank, a facilitator of the Southern slave-based economy. Read more in my profile of one of history’s forgotten, troubling figures. paw.princeton.edu/article/nich...
L.A. prosecutor Robert Schirn had three loves: family, sports, and the District Attorney's office. Schirn co-wrote the wiretapping and search warrant manuals for L.A. County, and notably wrote the search warrant for Spahn ranch, headquarters of the Manson family. paw.princeton.edu/article/la-p...
L.A. Prosecutor Robert Schirn ’63 Met Historic Moments in Criminal Justice
May 29, 1941 — April 12, 2025
paw.princeton.edu
January 30, 2026 at 5:47 PM
L.A. prosecutor Robert Schirn had three loves: family, sports, and the District Attorney's office. Schirn co-wrote the wiretapping and search warrant manuals for L.A. County, and notably wrote the search warrant for Spahn ranch, headquarters of the Manson family. paw.princeton.edu/article/la-p...
Twenty-six years ago, Princeton University dismantled its historic natural science museum. A look back at what happened and why. An Usonian+ paid subscriber exclusive. www.theusonian.com/p/the-last-b...
The last battle in the bone war
How an Ivy League museum met its end
www.theusonian.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Twenty-six years ago, Princeton University dismantled its historic natural science museum. A look back at what happened and why. An Usonian+ paid subscriber exclusive. www.theusonian.com/p/the-last-b...
Is Andrea Barrett's National Book Award-winning "Voyage of the Narwhal" a literary adventure or a soap opera? This week in The Usonian, we find out! www.theusonian.com/p/the-voyage...
The Voyage of the Narwhal
Or, the voyage of the soap opera
www.theusonian.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Is Andrea Barrett's National Book Award-winning "Voyage of the Narwhal" a literary adventure or a soap opera? This week in The Usonian, we find out! www.theusonian.com/p/the-voyage...
I asked ChatGPT to write a short story in "my style." What it produced was "a blend of atmospheric detail, psychological tension, and speculative unease." www.theusonian.com/p/an-ai-stor...
An AI story in the style of... myself
"A blend of atmospheric detail, psychological tension, and speculative unease"
www.theusonian.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:19 PM
I asked ChatGPT to write a short story in "my style." What it produced was "a blend of atmospheric detail, psychological tension, and speculative unease." www.theusonian.com/p/an-ai-stor...
The Usonian looks back at 2025: A year of great reverberations, but a retracing of my steps proved motivational amidst the chaos. www.theusonian.com/p/remembranc...
Remembrance of things past
The Usonian looks back at 2025
www.theusonian.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Usonian looks back at 2025: A year of great reverberations, but a retracing of my steps proved motivational amidst the chaos. www.theusonian.com/p/remembranc...
This week in The Usonian, I take a look at Silicon Valley's race for the robotaxi and what it's like to ride in one. www.theusonian.com/p/the-more-y...
The more you Waymo
On the robotaxi's arrival—and what it's like to take one
www.theusonian.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This week in The Usonian, I take a look at Silicon Valley's race for the robotaxi and what it's like to ride in one. www.theusonian.com/p/the-more-y...
It's not every day you get to write about "The Attack of the Giant Moussaka," but today is a good day! brooklynrail.org/2025/12/film...
The Greatest Films You’ll Never See, Vol. IV | The Brooklyn Rail
Our greatest hits this year include food monsters, three-and-a-half-hours on the dance floor, special effects lost to time, legendary films never made, and more.
brooklynrail.org
December 10, 2025 at 7:07 AM
It's not every day you get to write about "The Attack of the Giant Moussaka," but today is a good day! brooklynrail.org/2025/12/film...
When I went up to Mount Wilson, California, on a reporting mission, I had no idea what I was in for. (Paid subscribers only). Happy Thanksgiving!
www.theusonian.com/p/telescope-...
www.theusonian.com/p/telescope-...
Telescope Jack
A tour-guide ordeal at the summit of Mount Wilson
www.theusonian.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
When I went up to Mount Wilson, California, on a reporting mission, I had no idea what I was in for. (Paid subscribers only). Happy Thanksgiving!
www.theusonian.com/p/telescope-...
www.theusonian.com/p/telescope-...
Anyone else think it's funny the American pope is visiting Turkey on Thanksgiving?
November 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Anyone else think it's funny the American pope is visiting Turkey on Thanksgiving?
Give me Philip Glass music in an HBO sports doc and suddenly I feel sympathetic for A-Rod.
November 25, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Give me Philip Glass music in an HBO sports doc and suddenly I feel sympathetic for A-Rod.
While other bougie grocery stores play Xmas music, Gelson's goes hard for grunge before Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
While other bougie grocery stores play Xmas music, Gelson's goes hard for grunge before Thanksgiving.
Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master & Margarita" is a whimsical instruction manual for writing a novel with paratextual subplots. My latest in The Usonian. harrisonblackman.substack.com/p/the-master...
The Master and Margarita
Paratexts, villains and ambiguities in Mikhail Bulgakov's masterpiece
harrisonblackman.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master & Margarita" is a whimsical instruction manual for writing a novel with paratextual subplots. My latest in The Usonian. harrisonblackman.substack.com/p/the-master...
Reposted by Harrison Blackman
I've been waiting to comment publicly on this until the university made its announcement, but the Department of History at Princeton is devastated by the recent death of our wonderful colleague Alison Isenberg.
Alison Isenberg, distinguished urban historian and co-founder of Princeton-Mellon Initiative in Architecture, Urbanism and the Humanities, dies
A public memorial and celebration of Isenberg’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the University Chapel.
www.princeton.edu
November 7, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I've been waiting to comment publicly on this until the university made its announcement, but the Department of History at Princeton is devastated by the recent death of our wonderful colleague Alison Isenberg.
I'm devastated that Alison Isenberg, my brilliant thesis advisor—who taught me how to write urban history—has passed. Alison did so much for Princeton's Urban Studies Program. We've lost a shining light who fought for a brighter tomorrow for America's cities.
www.princeton.edu/news/2025/11...
www.princeton.edu/news/2025/11...
Alison Isenberg, distinguished urban historian and co-founder of Princeton-Mellon Initiative in Architecture, Urbanism and the Humanities, dies
A public memorial and celebration of Isenberg’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the University Chapel.
www.princeton.edu
November 7, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I'm devastated that Alison Isenberg, my brilliant thesis advisor—who taught me how to write urban history—has passed. Alison did so much for Princeton's Urban Studies Program. We've lost a shining light who fought for a brighter tomorrow for America's cities.
www.princeton.edu/news/2025/11...
www.princeton.edu/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Harrison Blackman
wdym you’re the fruit plate from the 16th inning of the dodgers game
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 PM
wdym you’re the fruit plate from the 16th inning of the dodgers game
Excited to bookend Princeton Alumni Weekly's space-themed issue with a portrait of Henry Norris Russell, the astronomer who helped discover the sun was made of hydrogen. paw.princeton.edu/article/stel...
A Stellar Student, He Transformed Our Understanding of the Stars
Henry Norris Russell 1897 *1900
paw.princeton.edu
October 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Excited to bookend Princeton Alumni Weekly's space-themed issue with a portrait of Henry Norris Russell, the astronomer who helped discover the sun was made of hydrogen. paw.princeton.edu/article/stel...
A pleasure to take my talents to South Beach and present materials for “Greece at the Turning Point,” my next book co-edited with Professor Gonda Van Steen (Routledge, 2027) at the 2025 Fulbright Conference in Miami. #FACON25
October 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A pleasure to take my talents to South Beach and present materials for “Greece at the Turning Point,” my next book co-edited with Professor Gonda Van Steen (Routledge, 2027) at the 2025 Fulbright Conference in Miami. #FACON25
If there was ever a movie about my life, it should be called ONE DEADLINE AFTER ANOTHER
October 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If there was ever a movie about my life, it should be called ONE DEADLINE AFTER ANOTHER
Why are Greek movies so strange? It turns out they've been "weird" for a while, and not for the reasons you might think. My latest essay for the Los Angeles Review of Books. @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social #film #architecture lareviewofbooks.org/article/cris...
Crisis Makes Weird | Los Angeles Review of Books
Harrison Blackman discusses the aesthetics and politics of Greek cinema’s Weird Wave.
lareviewofbooks.org
October 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Why are Greek movies so strange? It turns out they've been "weird" for a while, and not for the reasons you might think. My latest essay for the Los Angeles Review of Books. @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social #film #architecture lareviewofbooks.org/article/cris...
Without “At the Mountains of Madness,” we probably wouldn’t have sci-fi horror classics like “The Thing” or “Alien.” Read on for the spookiest chapter in The Usonian’s Narrative Architecture series. www.theusonian.com/p/the-grandd...
The granddaddy of them all
From "The Thing" to "Prometheus," all sci-fi horror owes Lovecraft a cold one
www.theusonian.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Without “At the Mountains of Madness,” we probably wouldn’t have sci-fi horror classics like “The Thing” or “Alien.” Read on for the spookiest chapter in The Usonian’s Narrative Architecture series. www.theusonian.com/p/the-grandd...
Religious scholar Georges Florovsky lived an odyssey of a life, from the last days of the Russian Empire to New York City. He also really, really loved his Xerox machine. paw.princeton.edu/article/he-f...
He Fled Europe and Became ‘The Patron Saint of Photocopying’
paw.princeton.edu
October 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Religious scholar Georges Florovsky lived an odyssey of a life, from the last days of the Russian Empire to New York City. He also really, really loved his Xerox machine. paw.princeton.edu/article/he-f...